Apparatus for conveying a mass of cigarettes from one level to a higher level



United States Patent 3 280 961 APPARATUS Fon covYING A MAss oF CIG-ARETTES FROM @NE LEVEL T A HIGHER LEVEL Alan K. McCombie, London,England, assignor to The Molins Organisation Limited, a British companyContinuation of application Ser. No. 345,293, Feb. 17,

1964. This application Feb. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 537,599 6 Claims. (Cl.198-76) This application is a continuation of my prior filed coa mass ofrodlike articles is located at one level and it is necessary to transferthe articles to ahigher level by movements occurring in the mass itself,that is, without the aid of trays, carrier-platform conveyors, andsuchlike devices. The mass to be raised has a width equal to the lengthof an article and a depth of any desired amount.

In copending U.S. application Serial No. 319,846 mentioned above a largemass of cigarettes coming from a cigarette machine is collected in acompartment and cigarettes are conveyed from said mass to the cigarettehoppers of packing machines by various conveyor belts. Normally it isnecessary to raise the cigarettes to deliver them to a hopper because ofthe relative heights of a cigarette machine and a packing machine.

The invention about to be described has a conveying arrangement capableof lifting cylindrical rodlike articles in mass, in the form of a thickcolumn, to a height of several feet without undue disturbance or injuryto the individual articles. Normally the mass to be lifted will besupported horizontally at its lower position and the lifted articlesdelivered to a horizontal support at the higher position, but horizontalsupporting is not essential as the supports might slope somewhat. Theword level is to be understood in this sense.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for moving a massof cylindrical rodlike articles such as cigarettes, cylindrical cigarsor filter rods, from one level to a higher level, comprising a conveyingdevice consisting of a passage dened by two conveyor bands, havingneighbouring runs which move upward, and spaced apart by a dimension notsubstantially exceeding 3 inches, means for driving the bands to causesaid upward movement and means for urging a mass of the articles intocontact with the bands at the lower end of said neighbouring runs,whereby the mass is gripped by the bands and carried upwards. The saiddimension varies somewhat according to the nature of the articles beingconveyed, but 3 inches is about the practicable maximum for cigarettes.The movement is caused by friction between articles and bands and theinternal friction between articles, and both factors depend to someextent on the hardness or softness of the articles, the nature of theexternal surface of the articles, for example, the nature of the paperwrapper of cigarettes and, possibly, the condition (moisture content) ofarticles such as cigarettes. As the `apparatus is primarily intended foruse with apparatus according to the specification quoted above, or insimilar work, where a deep mass at one level is to be raised toa higherlevel, the cross-section of the mass to be lifted, that is, its depth,diminishes as it moves into contact with the bands at the said lowerend. This reduction in *ice cross-section may be obtained by spacing theneighbouring runs of the bands at a desired width and providing the bandwhich operates `on the upper part of the mass at the low level with acylindrical weight which hangs in the lower loop of the band, andtensions it, and is positioned to define a path of converging curvedshape, with an entry of a depth equal to the cross-section of the massat the low level and a thickness at the exit equal to the cross-sectionof the mass to be carried up between the neighbouring runs of the bands.The weight merely hangs in the loop but it is controlled laterally andso its only effect is to tens-ion the band, and the runs of the bandretain their upwardly directed positions. Side anges embrace the weightand provide lateral guides and for this purpose the weight is shaped asa ring and a rotatable shaft passing through said ring carries two discsto provide the said anges.

In a modied arrangement the band which operates on the upper part of themass at the lower level is supported by a large pulley, which rotates ona fixed axis (which may be adjusted) the pulley being positioned todefine a path of the same converging curved shape as before.

'I'he conveyor bands may be vertically disposed but it is possible tohave them sloping backwards from the vertical plane so that the upwardum is at an angle of less than 90 to the lower level.

The invention will be more fully described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l shows one arrangement according to the invention and,

FIGURE 2 shows a modified arrangement.

As shown in FIGURE l a deep cigarette mass moves along a compartment 43in the direction of the arrows, under the influence of bands 6 and 44. 8is a cigarette hopper of a packing machine (not shown) having a conveyor57 which delivers cigarettes to the hopper, and a pivoted exible guide58 having cross-pieces which act as light weights and turn any skewedcigarettes, so that their axes are normal to the direction of movementof conveyor 5-7. `Other feed conveyors similar to 57 and for feedingcigarettes to other hoppers (not shown) are marked 157 and 257respectively.

In order t-o raise cigarettes emerging from the compartment 443 highenough to pass them to the conveyors 57, 157 or 257, there is provided avertical conveying device 70. This is constituted by two band conveyors71 and 72 whose neighbouring runs move upward, as shown by the arrows,and grip a thick column of cigarettes between t-hem. The thickness ofthis column is determined by the relative speeds of bands 71-72 and thebelt 6. In the example shown, the bands 71-72 travel at three times thespeed of belt 6 so the thickness of the column is one-third of the depthof the mass in compartment 43. The speed ratio depends, of course, onthe fact that the possible width between bands 70-71 is limited, asaforesaid. A few cigarettes are indicated at C but it will be understoodthat the mass of cigarette is continuous, and this is indicated bycross-hatching. It will be noticed that as the mass moves fromcompartment 43 to the conveyor ldevice 70` it moves through a convergingcurved path, becoming re-arranged into a kind of swan-neck formation.This is brought about by the lower end of the conveyor 72 which hangsdown freely but carries a large, heavy, cylindrical weight 73y in itsbight. The weight is lheld against lateral movement by sprung guiderollers I82. A fixed guide 74y extends from the conveyor band 44 to theconveyor band 72 so as to eonne the cigarettes lto the desired path. Themass is kept in the desired order laterally by llanges 75 rotatable on ashaft 76 which passes through the hollow interior of the weight 73.

The bands 71-72 can be driven in any desired manner, according to themachinery in which this apparatus is incorporated, but a convenientmethod is by small electric motors coupled to shafts 76A 'and 76B, whichcarry driving pulleys 77-7-8 for the bands. Suitable tension pulleys maybe provided for the band 71, but the tension of band 72 is provided bythe weight 73.

Various materials are suitable for the belts 71-72 but a smooth surfaceis desirable. The plastic substance known as Mylar (R.T.M.) gives goodresults and any smooth-surfaced material with substantially the samecoeicient of friction as Mylar (R.T.M.) is satisfactory.

The mass in compartment 43 moves into contact with the band 71 at thebottom and band 72 at the top and the advancing mass is accelerated bythese two bands. At the broken line A-A, slippage occurs between them-a'ss and the belts but this diminishes to zero at B=B. The bands 71and 72 are backed by smooth guides 79.

Owing to the friction between the cigarettes and the bands 71-72 and theinternal friction between cigarettes, the cigaret-tes at BB are notsubjected to undue compression by the weight of the cigarettes abovethem in the column.

A small rod 80, or similar device, around which is wrapped a piece lofflexible material 81, is provided to span lthe gap between the two bandrollers which support the bands 6 and 71. The material 81 can beextended, or contracted, by unwrapping, or wrapping, it a little. Nylonis a suitable material for the part 81. The free end of the stripdetermines the exact position at which cigarettes come into contact withband 71. The adjustment is useful to get the best results with differentkinds of cigarettes. In transit up the conveying device 70 the frictionbetween bands and cigarettes and the internal friction between thecigarettes is sufficient to convey the cigarettes without localdisplacement among the cigarettes,

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 2 is of the same general kind as thatshown in FIGURE 1, and parts which are identical bear the samereferences and will not be particularly described. In this case the bandwhich engages the Iupper surface of the cigarette mass 43 is arrangedsomewhat differently but this has nothing to do with the presentinvention and its operative face is positioned as in FIGURE. 1 and it istherefore Vlabelled 4-4.

It will be seen that the weight 73 has been dispensed with and the lowerbig-ht of the band 74 is supported on a pulley `83 having a shaft 84.The shaft is positioned so as to provide a converging curved path ofsubstantially the same shape as in FIGURE 1. The position of shaft y84has been determined by lengthy trials of the apparatus shown in FIGURE1, but adjustment for its position may be provided. Side cheeks (notshown), confine the cigarettes laterally in the neighbourhood of theconverging curved passage. At the convex side of this path, which isdefined by the band 71, is a smooth concave support 85 which maintainsthe band at the desired curvature. Another curved member 86 engages thecigarettes as they pass from the outlet of the conveying device 70 on tothe conveyors 57, 157 and 257. The member 86 is fixed a-t one end to ahousing '87 so an excess of cigarettes will tend to distend it. It isconnected to a micro switch 88 and if there is an excess of cigarettesdue to the stoppage` of a packing machine the switch will opera-te tocause the supply of cigarettes to the conveyor device 70 to diminish. Inthe particular case of the specification quoted earlier, this is done byshifting the back plate which forms the other end of the compartment 47.

It will be noted that the upward path of conveyance of the cigarettesslopes backwards with respect to the horizontal mass in the compartment43. A suitable angle may be up to 10 and it is sometimes useful to beable to have the conveying device at an angle to the vertical tosuitdifferent layouts of the machinery concerned.

It was stated earlier that the pulleys 77 and 78 may be driven byelectr-,ic motors and these are indicated in FIGURE 2 at 89, to showsuitable driving means. In practice, however, the driving means would bechains or the like driven by other moving parts of the machineryconcerned.

The embodiment-s of the invention which have been described are intendedparticularly for use with cigarettes, but it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the apparatus would be equally suitablefor use with cylindrical cigars or filter rods used in the cigarettetrade. These filter rods are much harder than cigarettes so they can bemore tightly compressed between the bands 71 and 72 if necessary. Theterm cylindrical rodlike article is intended to include -not onlycigarettes and filter rods but also filter cigarettes, where a largepart of the length of the cigarette consists of a filter.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for moving a mass of cylindrical rodlike articles from alow level to a higher level, the mass having a width equal to the lengthof an article, comprising a conveying device consisting of two conveyorbands having neighbouring runs which move upward, and are spaced apartyby a dimension not substantially exceeding 3 inches, to define apassage extending from the low level to the higher level, means fordriving the bands to cause the neighbouring runs to move upward, meansfor urging a mass of articles into contact with the bands at the lowerend of the passage, comprising a bottom conveyor for the mass, the depthof the mass at the low -level exceeding the space between theneighbouring runs of the bands, and means for reducing the cross-sectionof the mass as 1t moves into contact with the bands at the lower end ofthe passage, the bottom conveyor being movable at a rate such that thespeed ratio between the conveyor and the said bands is equal to thereduction in cross-section of the mass in passing from the lower levelinto the passage.

2.y Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for reducing thecross-section of .the mass comprises a guide means for the lower end ofthat band which engages the upper part of the mass at the low level, theguide means constraining the lower end of the band to follow a curvedpath which extends downwards lower than the top of the mass Iat the lowlevel.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for reducing thecross-section of the mass consists in providing that one of the saidbands, which engages the upper part of the mass at the low level, with acylindrical weight which hangs in the lower loop of the band -to tensionit, and cause the loop to define a concave curve forming the upper sideof a path of converging curved shape, while the other of said bands isguided to define a convex curve forming the lower side of said path, thepath having an entry of a depth equal to the depth of the mass at thel-ow level, and a thickness at the exit equal to the cross-section ofthe mass to be carried up between the neighbouring runs of the bands.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for reducing thecross-section of the mass consists in providing a pulley, rotatable on aIfixed axis, around which that conveyor band which engages the upperpart of the mass at the low level, turns, said pulley being positionedto cause the band to define a convex curve forming the upper side of apath of converging curved shape, while the other of said bands is guidedto define a convex curve forming the lower side Iof said path, the pathhaving an entry of a depth equal to the depth of the mass at the lowlevel and -a thickness at the exit equal to the crosssection of the massto be carried up between the neighbouring runs of the bands.

5. `Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the axis of the pulley is atsubstantially the same level as the top of the mass of articles at thelow level.

5 6 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means ReferencesCited by the Examiner for urging the mass 0f articles into Contact Withthe bands UNITED STATES PATENTS at the lower end of the passageadditionally comprises a top conveyor for the mass so that Ithe depth ofthe m-ass 550086 11/1895 Wluett 19g-165 at the low level is the spacebetween lthe top and bottom 5 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

COHVYOTS- E. A. SROKA, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR MOVING A MASS OF CYLINDRICAL RODLIKE ARTICLES FROM ALOW LEVEL TO A HIGHER LEVEL, THE MASS HAVING A WIDTH EQUAL TO THE LENGTHOF AN ARTICLE, COMPRISING A CONVEYING DEVICE CONSISTING OF TWO CONVEYORBANDS HAVING NEIGHBOURING RUNS WHICH MOVES UPWARD, AND ARE SPACED APARTBY A DIMENSION NOT SUBSTANTIALLY EXCEEDING 3 INCHES, TO DEFINE A PASSAGEEXTENDING FROM THE LOW LEVEL TO THE HIGHER LEVEL, MEANS FOR DRIVING THEBANDS TO CAUSE THE NEIGHBOURING RUNS TO MOVE UPWARD, MEANS FOR URGING AMASS OF ARTICLES INTO CONTACT WITH THE BANDS AT THE LOWER END OF THEPASSAGE, COMPRISING A BOTTOM CONVEYER FOR THE MASS, THE DEPTH OF THEMASS AT THE LOW LEVEL EXCEEDING THE SPACE BETWEEN THE NEIGHBOURING RUNSOF THE BANDS, AND MEANS FOR REDUCING THE CROSS-SECTION OF THE MASS AS ITMOVES INTO CONTACT WITH THE BANDS AT THE LOWER END OF THE PASSAGE, THEBOTTOM CONVEYOR BEING MOVABLE AT A RATE SUCH THAT THE SPEED RATIOBETWEEN THE CONVEYER AND THE SAID BANDS IS EQUAL TO THE REDUCTION INCROSS-SECTION OF THE MASS IN PASSING FROM THE LOWER LEVEL INTO THEPASSAGE.